Local Government
Indian Polity · स्थानीय शासन
📋Quick Overview
Local Government in India is constitutionalized through two landmark amendments: the 73rd Amendment (1992) for Panchayati Raj (rural) and the 74th Amendment (1992) for Municipalities (urban). The 73rd Amendment added Part IX and the 11th Schedule (29 subjects) to the Constitution. The 74th Amendment added Part IXA and the 12th Schedule (18 subjects). Both came into effect on different dates in 1993. The history of Panchayati Raj traces back to the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957).
73rd Amendment = Panchayati Raj (Part IX, 11th Schedule, 29 subjects) | 74th Amendment = Municipalities (Part IXA, 12th Schedule, 18 subjects)
📖Key Committees on Panchayati Raj
| Committee | Year | Key Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Balwant Rai Mehta | 1957 | Recommended 3-tier Panchayati Raj system. Rajasthan first to implement (1959) |
| Ashok Mehta | 1977 | Recommended 2-tier system (Zila Parishad + Mandal Panchayat). Constitutional status to Panchayats |
| G.V.K. Rao | 1985 | Recommended strengthening of Zila Parishad as key body |
| L.M. Singhvi | 1986 | Recommended constitutional status for Panchayats, Gram Sabha strengthening |
Rajasthan was the FIRST state to establish Panchayati Raj (2 Oct 1959, Nagaur). Andhra Pradesh was the SECOND (1959).
📖73rd Amendment — Panchayati Raj (3-Tier System)
| Level | Body | Head | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village Level | Gram Panchayat | Sarpanch / Pradhan | Village |
| Block Level | Panchayat Samiti | Chairman | Block / Tehsil |
| District Level | Zila Parishad | Chairman / Adhyaksha | District |
- •Added Part IX (Art 243 to 243-O) and 11th Schedule (29 subjects) to Constitution
- •Came into effect: 24 April 1993
- •Reservation: 1/3 seats for women (including SC/ST women), SC/ST in proportion to population
- •Term: 5 years for all 3 tiers. If dissolved early, elections within 6 months
- •Gram Sabha = assembly of ALL voters of a village (foundation of Panchayati Raj)
- •State Election Commission (Art 243-K) conducts Panchayat elections
- •State Finance Commission (Art 243-I) reviews financial position of Panchayats
- •Does NOT apply to: Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, J&K (then), and areas under 5th & 6th Schedule
📖74th Amendment — Municipalities (Urban)
| Type | Area | Head | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagar Panchayat | Transitional area (rural to urban) | Chairman | |
| Municipal Council (Nagar Palika) | Smaller urban area | Chairman | |
| Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam) | Large urban area / metro city | Mayor | Mayor |
- •Added Part IXA (Art 243-P to 243-ZG) and 12th Schedule (18 subjects)
- •Came into effect: 1 June 1993
- •1/3 reservation for women, SC/ST reservation in proportion to population
- •Term: 5 years. If dissolved, elections within 6 months
- •Ward Committees mandatory in municipalities with 3 lakh+ population
📖73rd vs 74th Amendment — Comparison
📝"First / Only" — Quick Facts
- •FIRST state to implement Panchayati Raj → Rajasthan (2 Oct 1959, Nagaur district)
- •Art 40 (DPSP) directs state to organize Panchayats — basis for 73rd Amendment
- •24 April = National Panchayati Raj Day
- •PESA Act 1996 extended Panchayati Raj to 5th Schedule areas (tribal)
- •Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) = Father of Panchayati Raj